Protect Coit Tower Committee's Signature Gathering a Success

Members and supporters of the Protect Coit Tower Committee gathered at City Hall on Monday to turn in more than 16,000 signatures to place an initiative on the ballot to limit the commercial use of the iconic structure.

"It's a symbol of the city. The murals, the building, the park," Jon Golinger, chair of the Protect Coit Tower Committee, said.

The proposed measure would strictly limit the number of commercial activities and private events at Coit Tower and prioritize the spending of any funds from the building's concession operations for preserving murals and maintaining the building, the resolution said.

Golinger said murals inside the tower have been damaged over the years and little, if any, money has been given to maintain the artwork. Coit Tower "has to stand at the back of the line with a cup out," he said.

The committee turned in 16,386 signatures to the Department of Elections at 4 p.m. To make sure the resolution made it on the ballot, the committee needed to gather 9,702 signatures of registered San Francisco voters.

The initiative, if approved, will be on the ballot for the June 5 election.